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Six surprising benefits of laughter this April Fool's Day
A laugh a day keeps the doctor away!
That’s right - it turns out laughter really IS the best medicine, and April Fool’s Day is the perfect excuse to play a few pranks or catch the latest comedy and laugh until your guts ache.
But the happy holiday on April 1st doesn’t have to just be about watching funny TikToks or popping on a Melissa McCarthy marathon (though those things are reason enough to celebrate!), it can literally change your health for the better.
Wellness experts at B Well CBD have looked into the benefits of laughter and how it can impact your health and wellbeing, and it turns out that enjoying April Fool’s by having a laugh with friends and family is the perfect way to release endorphins and lighten your mood.
The Health Benefits Of A Good Laugh
Stress Relief
Whether you’ve got work woes, difficult personal issues, or the stress of everything going on in the world is taking its toll on you, it’s amazing how much a good laugh can take the weight off your shoulders.
By challenging the feeling of stress through laughing - which has the opposite effect on the body - the stress hormones are replaced by feel-good neurochemicals, so you can enjoy a calmer approach and reduce feelings of anxiety.
Pain Relief
Wellness experts have long lauded the benefits of a good laugh when it comes to pain relief. It’s been said that when you laugh, your body produces natural pain killers so you can enjoy a little relief from discomfort you may be feeling.
And while an episode of Friends (highly recommend the episode: “The one with all the resolutions” which features an hilarious bit on leather pants) may be the last thing you feel like watching when you’re experiencing pain, the outcome of tuning in to a funny TV show or movie can be exactly what you need to feel a sense of normality.
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Although it may seem like a placebo effect, studies have shown that laughter doesn’t just boost your emotions, but really does minimise the symptoms of pain.
Laughter Supports Immune Health
After a long winter (or a “bit of a cold spell” if you live in the tropics), our immune systems are naturally lower after having to tackle the notorious winter illnesses.
As the cold and flu season approaches, and OmicronB makes its presence felt across the globe, laughter is just what our bodies need to help us get through winter and to feel better prepared for the challenges ahead. While not a replacement for vaccinations, it may warm you to hear that laughter also has been shown to boost the number of infection-fighting antibodies and immune cells in our bodies, supporting the release of neuropeptides which reduce stress and fight illness so we can stay fit and healthy.
It Supports Brain Health
As well as having a great impact on our mental wellbeing, laughter also supports our brain health. Laughing “exercises” your mind and has been linked to improved cognitive function, increasing your intake of oxygen which in turn stimulates your heart, lungs and muscles.
A good belly-laugh also increases endorphins that are released by your brain, contributing to reduced stress and a more positive outlook.
It Can Help Reduce Hypertension
Laughter also improves blood flow, which subsequently reduces blood pressure, which can have a positive effect on your heart health.
As well as being an immediate benefit, the results can last upwards of 24 hours, so you can maintain a healthy blood pressure.
The more laughs you enjoy, the less likely you are to face symptoms such as blurry vision, morning headaches and a buzzing sound in the ears, even having the potential to reduce your risk of heart disease in the long term.
A Great Workout!
Who said exercise can’t be fun?! A good laugh can actually be an awesome core workout. Laughter causes your stomach muscles to expand and contract. And while you shouldn’t give up your regular exercise routine, a good 10-15 minute giggle can burn up to 50 calories, even leaving your sides a little sore due to all the stomach movements.
So feel free to guffaw as loudly as possible when you’re watching that funny movie - just don’t choke on your popcorn!
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